Find out how a Manchester-based Jewish charity is helping the community through art

Last week Manchester-based charity Jewish Action for Mental Health (JAMH) launched their first two interfaith art workshops to help members of the community improve their mental wellbeing. These sessions are part of a partnership with five other BAME mental health charities to provide counselling, therapy and group workshops to those in need.

Artist Chava Erlanger led the first event, Therapeutic Art, during which she taught a group of 15 Muslim ladies in Prestwich about the Hebrew alphabet through drawing.They also spoke of the origins of the Hebrew language and discussed the common heritage and diversity of both religions and cultures. “Art has the power to bridge communities, it has the ability to create a dialogue when other means fail,” said Erlanger, who has run similar sessions with Holocaust survivors and refugees to help them share stories and express their experiences through art.

“I am very grateful that the art sessions are available,” said participant Sue Gordon (pictured above). “I have not enjoyed the last year and a half, being a vulnerable adult and being locked up. The art sessions have greatly improved my health and wellbeing.”

At the second event, textile artist and founder of Creative Design & Manufacture, Taslima Ahmad, shared the history of South Asian paisley with her group in a mill in Ardwick. “Making something with your hands is healing and promotes wellbeing,” said Ahmad, who won the National Lottery Heritage Award in 2020 for personally delivering sewing machines to the homes of many isolated women so that they could make scrubs and masks for the NHS.

“This project is so important,” said Kate Lurie, project manager at JAMH, “as it helps to reduce fear of other communities, and builds respect and understanding. Both can contribute to reduced anxiety.”

By Danielle Goldstein

To find out more about Jewish Action for Mental Health, visit jamh.org.uk; head to givey.com/jamh to donate.